Business Idea/Concept:

         

Only Oregonbackpacker.com, with it’s in-depth analysis of hiking trails, equipment, and availability of products and services allows hikers, backpackers and trail enthusiasts in the Oregon area to purchase gear and plan trips, all in one visit to our website. 

 

Team:

         

 

Target Market:

         

          Oregonbackpacker.com serves the international outdoor community with interests in the Oregon outdoor experience.  We do not direct or target our site to any specific income level, gender or age group, but merely to those who love the Oregon outdoors and have access to the internet.  The Oregon wilderness is free to everyone.

 

Competition:

           

Website Business	Strengths	Weaknesses	Opportunity for us?
Gearreview.com	Wide selection of equipment reviews	Lack of in-depth analysis of hiking/backpacking gear	Intense concentration on one area of focus equals more extensive information
Outdoorreview.com	Great site design, extensive archives	Does not offer trail information or in depth analysis specific to hiking/backpacking	We can offer links and information to help the user choose trails in the area and use the gear we review
REI.com	Wide selection of products, great site design	Not specific to hiking/backpacking, no specific trail information	We offer extensive analysis specific to hiking and backpacking.  We have a narrow focus and provide more information
Oregonbackpacker.com	Specific focus on hiking and backpacking equipment reviews.  Links to trail information and reviews.	Small staff with limited time to work on site	We can provide a service for Oregon that no one else has.  For those seeking information about Oregon area hiking, as well as backpacking and hiking equipment, we are the one stop source.

 

 

Objectives:

           

Success is simply stated, Oregonbackpacker.com will earn commission through its affiliates. We can expect up to one-hundred dollars within the first month. With proper customer feedback and functional support system, our growth opportunity is endless. The table below illustrates potential income for the first thirty days. For the purpose of the business plan we will combine the commission rates for all of our affiliates.

 

Total Unique Visitors(First 30 Days)	1000	1000
% Clicking Affiliates	10%	100
% Buying Items	10%	10
Average Ticket Price	$100	$1000
Average Commission Rate	10%	$100
Revenue To Site	$100	$100

 

 

            In addition to unique visitors to our site by way of search engine results or word of mouth advertising, we will initiate an e-mail advertising campaign upon start-up of the site.  The following table illustrates the income objectives for the start-up e-mail advertising campaign.

 

E-mails Sent	200	200
% of Respondents	5%	10
% Clicking Affiliates	20%	2
% Buying	50%	1
Average Ticket Price	$100	$100
Average Commission Rate	10%	$10
Revenue To Site	$10	$10

 

 

Strategies/Tactics:

 

1.      PRODUCT:  Oregonbackpacker.com offers in-depth analysis of Oregon hiking trails and comparison/review of related outdoor products. Oregonbackpacker.com offers visitors the opportunity to buy all reviewed items as well as suggested outdoor reference material.

2.      AFFILIATES:  Oregonbackpacker.com is competitively affiliated with merchants who offer not only outdoor equipment, but outdoor reference materials, maps, guidebooks, etc. Our current and most important affiliates include http://www.zappos.com/, http://www.rei.com/, http://www.uscav.com/, http://www.amazon.com/, as well as multiple affiliates from http://www.linkshare.com/. These affiliates offer products relating directly to the content of our site.  In many cases we will be directly reviewing products from these sites while offering the ability to purchase the products in question. Affiliation with above sites is current and banners will be placed upon site design.

3.       PLACE:  Oregonbackpacker.com will initially reach our target market through proper search engine placement and startup e-mail campaign.  After completion of the initial e-mail campaign, Oregonbackpacker.com will carve out a place in the market through other creative promotional programs.

4.      PRICE:  Currently Oregonbackpacker.com doesn’t have plans to gain revenue through means other than merchant affiliation. Our product is FREE.

5.      PROMOTION:  Oregonbackpacker.com will initially reach our target market through proper search engine placement and the startup e-mail campaign. In addition, Oregonbackpacker.com will feature a monthly e-mail campaign which will include updated product reviews and information. Throughout the duration of our business we will rely on word of mouth advertising as our primary method. Other creative advertising will be used as needed.

6.      METRICS:  Oregonbackpacker.com will measure results in a number of ways. Most importantly, we will feature instant online support through an integrated personalized customer service system.  Viewers will be able to contact the CEO’s through e-mail (to be responded to within 6 hours), and in some cases through instant online messaging available through a link on our site.  Customers will be able to provide feedback, ask questions, or seek further information through direct contact with the CEO’s of Oregonbackpacker.com.

 

Conclusion:

 

           

Only Oregonbackpacker.com, with it’s in-depth analysis of hiking trails, equipment, and availability of products and services allows hikers, backpackers and trail enthusiasts in the Oregon area to purchase gear and plan trips, all in one visit to our website.  Oregonbackpacker.com will provide creative, worthwhile reviews that will improve the Oregon experience for all of those who love the outdoors.  With extensive product reviews and trail information, viewers will be better prepared for their experience on the trails.  With the ability to purchase all reviewed equipment and then some, visitors to the site have an advantage over other hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.